2010 Consumer Reports Owner Survey says Z is 45% below average in reliability

Waiz · 10-31-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

"Owner Survey", sounds like a lot of unhappy owners.

+1

Unless it's actual warranty claims that can be quantified this info is worthless and nothing new.

On a side note, after what CR said about the Iphone 4 and the bullshat that was caused from a really minor antenna issue
I completely disregard their opinion on products.

Endgame · 10-31-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

i agree. I'd say if you have a cooler installed by a nissan dealer and documented, it should have no implications on your warranty at all.

sa weet!

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

sa weet!

Sorry man, I didn't mean to imply that Nissan would honor warranty claims if you had an oil cooler installed. I meant it as in I wished that were the case.

cab83_750 · 10-31-2010, 05:55 PM

IMHO, to the extreme, G drivers are grandpas and Z drivers are uncles. They are apples and oranges.

spearfish25 · 10-31-2010, 06:06 PM

I remember when people on this forum were getting these Consumer Reports surveys. It was during the height of what I call "The Great Oil Temp Scare of 2009". People frequently posted on the forum that they just got a survey and listed the oil temps as a key problem. The unfortunate backlash of that behavior is that those owners have now potentially lessened the resale value by getting us a nice black circle on CR. The reality of the oil temp 'problem' is that it's not really a problem. Most people (as shown by numerous impromptu surveys on this site) have never really had a PROBLEM with oil temperatures. They were perceived problems when the temp gauge went to 240F but there was never limp mode or engine failures due to the temps. Those of us who track the car have experienced a true need for oil coolers, but that should not get reflected in a CR survey.

A special thanks to everyone who vented their frustration of a not-so-real problem during street driving by filling out the survey with frivolous complaints.

A real survey should give low marks for the following areas: 1) cabin noise during highway driving (it's a sports car but it shouldn't be this loud), 2) inaccurate fuel gauges, 3) high pitch whining sound from ECU (many people certainly have this), 4) brittle paint.

Fortunately, not a single one of those issues would change my mind about buying the car.

Check out the definitions of the areas where the Z faired poorly in the survey. The real irony is that we're going to get a nasty symbol for 'engine major' now that people are starting to freak about oil consumption too. My guess at the issue getting the low marks for each area is listed in blue italics.

Engine, minor: Oil leaks, accessory belts, engine mounts, engine knock or ping. people complaining of valvetrain noise from the VVEL (probably no real problem present), a few may have reported their blown aftermarket oil cooler lines as oil leaks which would be ridiculous

Engine, cooling: Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating. The Great Oil Temp Scare of 2009

Paint/trim: Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose exterior trim or moldings, rust. easily chipped paint, a few orange peel complaints, the random unhappiness from swirls on black paint

Body integrity: Squeaks or rattles, seals and/or weather-stripping, air or water leaks, loose interior trim and moldings, wind noise. road noise mainly during highway driving and debris hitting wheel liners

Body hardware: Windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defects. the 'stuck hatch' issue and the base model seats moving around

c41006 · 10-31-2010, 06:50 PM

I don't get how those relatively minor issues landed us with the worst possible overall reliability rating. A solid black dot I mean come on it cant be that bad

spearfish25 · 10-31-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c41006

I don't get how those relatively minor issues landed us with the worst possible overall reliability rating. A solid black dot I mean come on it cant be that bad

CR says that if they get over 3% of surveys with those complaints, the vehicle gets a black circle for that category.

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

CR says that if they get over 3% of surveys with those complaints, the vehicle gets a black circle for that category.

Wow... that's a really tight tolerance.

I could understand maybe 3.5/5 stars for quality because of some of the issues the Z's have, but reliability?

Aside from the problems some of the 6MTs experience (CSC failures and bum synchros) the rest of the mechanical reliability problems seem to be anomalies only.

Pretty unfortunate if you ask me. And yeah, given the number of buyers that consult CR before making a used vehicle purchase this could definitely impact resale value for the negative.

c41006 · 10-31-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

CR says that if they get over 3% of surveys with those complaints, the vehicle gets a black circle for that category.

I am referring to the overall reliability not each individual category

dad · 10-31-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waizzz

+1

Unless it's actual warranty claims that can be quantified this info is worthless and nothing new.

On a side note, after what CR said about the Iphone 4 and the bullshat that was caused from a really minor antenna issue
I completely disregard their opinion on products.

One problem, this isn't a Consumer Report opinion or judgement. It's a survey report from the 370 owners, that CR did.

Mt Tam I am · 10-31-2010, 10:00 PM

Even though my oil consumption led to a new short block, the car reliably ran every day. The oil cooler issue is no big deal to me even though I needed one. I just bit the bullet and got one. Why the warranty could be void after installation by Nissan is nuts.

sheps58 · 10-31-2010, 10:01 PM

I've only had the car for 10 days. However, it appears well made. The interior seems well fitted with good materials. Comparable to my 2004 BMW 325 CI.

Waiz · 10-31-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

One problem, this isn't a Consumer Report opinion or judgement. It's a survey report from the 370 owners, that CR did.

I agree but I guess the first part of my post didn't make that clear.

Regardless, I disregard their opinion now.

JB1 · 10-31-2010, 10:31 PM

Spearfish, you hit the nail right on the head!

Another reason for the g37 crowd not complaining about the oil temp issue as much might be the fact that they don't have an oil temp gauge... The only way they find out about the oil temp will be when they hit limp mode and that, as we all know, will most likely only happen on the track.

PapoZalsa · 10-31-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

But as far as I'm concerned my issues were all quality issues, NOT reliability.

Quality and reliability are two completely different issues that people can confused with each other.

To me the car is reliable and has some quality issues like the paint.

No car out there is perfect!

Anyhow the Z is a great car!

10-31-2010, 06:06 PM	#20 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I remember when people on this forum were getting these Consumer Reports surveys. It was during the height of what I call "The Great Oil Temp Scare of 2009". People frequently posted on the forum that they just got a survey and listed the oil temps as a key problem. The unfortunate backlash of that behavior is that those owners have now potentially lessened the resale value by getting us a nice black circle on CR. The reality of the oil temp 'problem' is that it's not really a problem. Most people (as shown by numerous impromptu surveys on this site) have never really had a PROBLEM with oil temperatures. They were perceived problems when the temp gauge went to 240F but there was never limp mode or engine failures due to the temps. Those of us who track the car have experienced a true need for oil coolers, but that should not get reflected in a CR survey. A special thanks to everyone who vented their frustration of a not-so-real problem during street driving by filling out the survey with frivolous complaints. A real survey should give low marks for the following areas: 1) cabin noise during highway driving (it's a sports car but it shouldn't be this loud), 2) inaccurate fuel gauges, 3) high pitch whining sound from ECU (many people certainly have this), 4) brittle paint. Fortunately, not a single one of those issues would change my mind about buying the car. Check out the definitions of the areas where the Z faired poorly in the survey. The real irony is that we're going to get a nasty symbol for 'engine major' now that people are starting to freak about oil consumption too. My guess at the issue getting the low marks for each area is listed in blue italics. Engine, minor: Oil leaks, accessory belts, engine mounts, engine knock or ping. people complaining of valvetrain noise from the VVEL (probably no real problem present), a few may have reported their blown aftermarket oil cooler lines as oil leaks which would be ridiculous Engine, cooling: Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating. The Great Oil Temp Scare of 2009 Paint/trim: Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose exterior trim or moldings, rust. easily chipped paint, a few orange peel complaints, the random unhappiness from swirls on black paint Body integrity: Squeaks or rattles, seals and/or weather-stripping, air or water leaks, loose interior trim and moldings, wind noise. road noise mainly during highway driving and debris hitting wheel liners Body hardware: Windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defects. the 'stuck hatch' issue and the base model seats moving around __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 10-31-2010 at 06:27 PM.

10-31-2010, 10:00 PM	#26 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	Even though my oil consumption led to a new short block, the car reliably ran every day. The oil cooler issue is no big deal to me even though I needed one. I just bit the bullet and got one. Why the warranty could be void after installation by Nissan is nuts. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

10-31-2010, 10:01 PM	#27 (permalink)
sheps58 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 102 Drives: 2010 370Z 6MT & 2004 Rep Power: 15	Car appears to be well made I've only had the car for 10 days. However, it appears well made. The interior seems well fitted with good materials. Comparable to my 2004 BMW 325 CI.

10-31-2010, 10:31 PM	#29 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 17	Spearfish, you hit the nail right on the head! Another reason for the g37 crowd not complaining about the oil temp issue as much might be the fact that they don't have an oil temp gauge... The only way they find out about the oil temp will be when they hit limp mode and that, as we all know, will most likely only happen on the track. __________________ Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar //

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10-31-2010, 05:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	IMHO, to the extreme, G drivers are grandpas and Z drivers are uncles. They are apples and oranges.

10-31-2010, 06:50 PM	#21 (permalink)
c41006 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 9,034 Drives: '10 G37 Coupe BO 7AT Rep Power: 114	I don't get how those relatively minor issues landed us with the worst possible overall reliability rating. A solid black dot I mean come on it cant be that bad